Kyrgios Dethrones Medvedev, Reaches First US Open Quarterfinal

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios reckoned that he has every chance of winning his maiden Grand Slam.

On Monday, the 27-year-old defeated World No.1 Daniil Medvedev 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the third round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.

Kyrgios, who played the final of Wimbledon 2022 against Novak Djokovic, made 38 unforced errors compared to his opponent’s 19, but he made up for them with 53 winners and as many as 21 aces.

The Canberra-born Kyrgios was delighted after qualifying for his maiden US Open men’s singles quarterfinal.

It was the Australian’s fourth win in five career encounters with Medvedev, and his second straight after a 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-2 second-round decision last month in Montreal.

“It was an amazing match. Obviously, Daniil is the defending champion, a lot of pressure on his shoulders,” said the 25th-ranked Kyrgios, who is into the elite eight of a major for the fourth time. “But I played really well. I’ve been playing amazing the last couple of months. What a place to do it. Packed house in New York. I’m extremely blessed.”

Kyrgios landed 84 of 119 first serves, winning 75% of those points. He was narrowly out-aced, 22-20.

The tense, hour-long opening set was a veritable serve clinic that featured nine aces from each player. The 23rd seed Kyrgios would save three set points in the telltale tiebreak to grab the one-set advantage. It was the first set Medvedev had dropped all week.

Three double faults in his first service game of the second set would haunt Kyrgios, who was unable to dig himself out of an 0-3 hole.

It wasn’t all fisticuffs for these Round-of-16 opponents, who, while not being close friends, have repeatedly spoken of their mutual respect. When Kyrgios took a tumble early in the third, Medvedev came around the net to check on his foe in a show of sportsmanship. That didn’t stop Kyrgios from breaking for 3-1.